“Then I won’t interfere. Handle it as you see fit.”
“Hold on!”
If they’re going to fight, why not settle it outside instead of causing a ruckus at the inn? I genuinely considered smashing all their heads in so I could rest in peace and gently roused my dormant mana core for that purpose.
Just in case.
However, the two groups were merely staring each other down fiercely, with no intention to actually fight. Neither side had drawn their swords.
“Could you not reconsider?”
“I don’t see any reason to get involved in whatever is about to happen in this city.”
“We can offer you a valuable reward—”
“Is there any compelling reason for me to join your side?”
“Throughout history, the wars between the factions rooted in the Martial Realm often come down to the battles of the experts. Even when one side has a numerical advantage, the number of martial artists either side employs doesn’t differ much.”
That got my attention.
I glanced at Mok-kyeong, who had suddenly appeared beside me, radiating a sharp aura. Perhaps due to being awakened by the sudden commotion, she appeared a little disheveled compared to usual.
Under the moonlight, Mok-kyeong seemed to have an unusual charm.
…I must be losing my eyesight after all those years in the military.
“Quick, draw your sword…”
“So that’s how it is.”
“…As we’re not an army, the effectiveness of group battles decreases. Even though group formations are designed to counter a lone powerhouse, you’re always vulnerable to rear attacks in a group battle. Realistically, its practicality is questionable.”
“…That does seem to be the case.”
“That’s…true. Therefore, please…”
“Isn’t it peculiar that two families are mobilizing just to secure a single peak expert?”
Both parties seemed to accept my overt stance without argument, heaving sighs. Although they weren’t thrilled with the situation, they seemed to agree it was unavoidable.
“Great Hero Wi is far beyond being merely a peak expert. Just how many people can casually refer to a peak expert as ‘merely’?”
“Is that so?”
The outline is getting clearer. Hiring me means they want to hire someone like Mok-kyeong and Hye-ryeong as well.
The most critical aspect of war is legitimacy.
If it’s proclaimed that the Hainan Sword Sect, one of the Nine Schools and One Sect, has sided with them, people will think, ‘Even the Nine Schools and One Sect sided with them, they must be the righteous side,’ which is why they’re trying to recruit me.
Considering my name alone carries enough weight to reach even a small town like this, it makes some sense that they’re interested.
However, I do not feel the necessity to involve myself in this matter.
It’s not as if I’ve done anything wrong,
nor am I entangled in someone else’s mess as I was last time,
and joining in would only benefit me financially. But even if it did, the losses might outweigh the gains.
Since wars usually transcend the situation where I could control them, I see little reason to participate.
“Given this situation, I suggest you resolve things on your own. I have no intention of getting involved in this so-called war.”
“How can we not? Without your recruitment, I’ll die!”
“There’s no risk greater than getting involved in someone else’s affairs.”
Just because you want to survive doesn’t mean I’ll blindly walk into danger with you.
A warrior from the Gu family fell to his knees and pleaded, and a moment later, a warrior from the Jiang family followed suit, begging earnestly.
“I can promise definitive rewards! Spiritual elixirs, wealth enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life! And if necessary, a deep bond with our family…”
“No way!”
“That’s enough. Hye-ryeong, you shouldn’t scream at dawn like that!”
“Absolutely no way!”
“Hye-ryeong, let me…”
I gently pulled Hye-ryeong toward me and hid her behind.
It’s not proper for you to appear so disheveled.
“…Absolutely not!”
“Fine, stop. You’re about to wake everyone in the inn.”
“They must all be awake by now.”
“Still…”
At least let me end this tiresome situation quickly. What a nuisance.
“Hmm…Let’s go downstairs and talk. It’s inappropriate to cause such a ruckus while others are trying to sleep.”
“But it’s their fault for making noise…”
“Let’s go downstairs.”
It’s useless blaming others.
I cut off the warrior’s complaint, who looked rather aggrieved, and closed the door.
“I’ll change and be back shortly. Hye-ryeong, stay upstairs.”
“I want to come too.”
“Get properly dressed first.”
“…”
Her slightly improper clothing revealed some of her collarbone.
Unlike the free-spirited Hainan, in Central Plains where even revealing your ankles causes a stir, such attire would cause a scandal.
At my reprimand, Hye-ryeong smiled sheepishly and spoke.
“I’ll come down soon.”
“I’m coming with you.”
When did you finish getting ready?
Given her usual habit of being prepared before me, she must have finished during the earlier conversation with the warriors.
I should get appropriately dressed as well.
Though I’d like to wash my face first, the uninvited guests are waiting, so I’ll just throw on some clothes and head downstairs.
I roughly put on the long robe I’d previously discarded and turned around.
“Such a pity…”
“What’s so pitiful?”
“Haha…”
“Mok-kyeong, let’s go downstairs.”
“…Yes.”
We must quickly resolve this and leave the city. With a sigh, I opened the door.
——————-
“Ah…my…”
The groan of the innkeeper who rushed out in the early morning filled the dining hall. The warriors from both families, knowing they were causing trouble, looked away nervously.
“Let me hear your story first. You mentioned something about the lords being killed. What’s this about?”
“These scoundrels killed our young lord!”
“What nonsense! It was your people…!”
“Let’s calm down and think clearly. I’ve heard rumors about mutual assassinations. Did they kill each other unknowingly?”
“We searched for Master Gu when he didn’t return home as usual and instead found him dead with Master Jiang Yunqi. That damned one must have tried to kill Master Gu but was counterattacked!”
“What nonsense! That’s our accusation!”
This is escalating into a real sword fight.
I focused Qi into my hand, tapped the table twice to gather everyone’s attention, and asked.
“Let’s calm down. You all seem too worked up to think straight. Where were the bodyguards?”
“They were also found dead nearby.”
“Survivors?”
“There’s one…but he’s critically injured.”
The only witness won’t be of much use for information in the next day or two. This definitely smells fishy.
“Let’s calm down and think reasonably. Did Master Jiang see a doctor?”
“Of course we sent him to a doctor. However, the doctor has vanished. Though we knew the doctor had ties with the Gu family, we didn’t think it would come to this!”
“Not true!”
“Hah! What a shameless bunch!”
“I don’t understand why I, who am not Po Qingtian or a judge, am being dragged into this…anyway, did the relationship between the families deteriorate to the point where they intended to kill each other in a dark alley?”
“Uh…”
I turned my attention to the innkeeper who hesitantly joined the conversation. He was sweating, walking on thin ice, but looked earnestly like he hoped this situation would be resolved.
“Master Innkeeper, is there anything you’d like to say?”
I asked as softly as possible so as not to frighten him.
“Recently, both lords had been courting a young woman. Perhaps…”
“A lover’s quarrel could have turned fatal?”
Given how quickly they drew swords at the inn, it’s plausible a physical confrontation could arise but…it’s still odd that it escalated to killing each other.
In my observation, neither of them were the type to immediately try to kill the other.
People who have the resolve to kill are fundamentally different from the start.
“Indeed, they did have some tense exchanges over the young lady Mingxi…”
“So, the innkeeper’s story seems to be at least partially true.”
There’s some circumstantial evidence.
Leaving aside if they really killed each other in a duel…
“For whatever reason…your attempt to recruit me relates to the war between the families, right?”
“Yes. If you assist us, our master promised—”
“It seems the family heads are beside themselves with grief.”
If the heads found out their sons were killed upon returning,
they’d lose their minds and wouldn’t care about reason or anything else, thinking they couldn’t share the sky with those young men.
“So, when’s the battle?”
“Excuse me?”
The apparent leader of the Jiang family warriors dumbly stared at me in confusion after my question.
Not getting the situation?
“Both sides seem beside themselves…aren’t we on the brink of conflict?”
“Yes, that’s…”
“Oh…”
The innkeeper’s sigh echoed through the dining hall.
…That’s right.
War doesn’t destroy soldiers but ordinary civilians.
Sigh.
“Let’s try some negotiations first.”
“Will you side with us?!”
“No, you’ll side with our Jiang family!”
“I never said I’d choose only one side.”
“What?”
Amidst the wide-eyed idiots, I grinned.
“Let’s calculate our interests.”
…
